Toyota evaluating Alphard MPV for India launch

Toyota will have its luxury MPV, the Alphard on display at the upcoming Auto Expo. The mega MPV will be used to gauge public response and gather feedback for a potential introduction at a later stage.

Speaking to Autocar India, a company official confirmed that the Japanese automaker is keenly evaluating the Alphard for a possible market introduction here and also studying the segment, itself. “We are checking the feasibility of such a segment," the official said. "People are importing plenty of Hiaces and Alphards through different routes for tours and traveller segments, so they do have a good market here.”

Apart from studying the model viability, the carmaker is looking at ways to overcome challenges that need sorting, like the fitting of speed limiting devices and governors for such class of vehicles.

The mega MPV has a length of close to 5m and comes with a choice of powertrain options for the international market including a hybrid. However, it is not known which version will be on display at the motor show, this week. The Alphard also has a slightly different version called the Vellfire – the two are now in their third generation and are primarily sold in Japan, apart from a few other markets, around the world.